I learned on a Swizzle stick in 1977. At the time it was $19 for the kit. Balsa USA has refined the kit, and it is now called the Stick 40, it's the same plane with a more updated tail shape and a price to match the current industry's inflation (really too bad). If something cheap to bash around is what you're looking for go to http://www.spadtothebone.com The guys who started that web site have combat roots and have used the old Swizzle sticks for combat. Much of what they do now was inspired by the simplicity of the Swizzle Stick...in fact, the very first "Spad" that flew took it's wing measurements from a Swizzle Stick.